Six inter-sectoral teams will be set up to inspect food safety in 12 provinces and cities (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Health said on December 20that six inter-sectoral teams will be set up to inspect food safety in 12provinces and cities in the lead-up to the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festivaland spring festivals afterwards.
The teams from the Health Ministry, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development will fan out to go to Ninh Thuan,Binh Thuan, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, TienGiang, Hanoi, Hung Yen, Lam Dong, and Dak Nong.
The move was decided by the central inter-sectoral steering committeefor food safety, which also requested localities establish inspection teams tocheck the safety of foods that are largely consumed during Tet and festivals.
Inspections will be carried out from January 1 to March 25, 2019,looking to ensure hygiene standards are strictly adhered during the process of producing,processing, trading and using foods and minimize food poisoning cases.
On the day, head of the food safety department of the Health Ministry NguyenThanh Phong said the department has fined 99 businesses a total sum of 6billion VND for violating food safety regulations.
During January-October, 91 food poisoning cases have been reported nationwide, mainlyinvolved alcohol and poisonous mushrooms, claiming the lives of 15 people.-VNA
VNA
